Combined electrical stove and toaster



July-3, 19.28.d 1,675,924

E. V. COULSTON COMBINED ELECTRIVCL STOVE AND TOASTER Arroz/vaas July 3, 1928,

E. v. c ouLs'roN COMBINED ELECTRICAL STOVB ANDA TASTER mea Maron 16. 1927 ArroeA/Eys.

Patented July 3, 1928.

` EARL v. couLsToN, O F CLEVELAND, omo.

.CO-HBINED ELECTRICAL STVE TOASTER.

mimetica 'mea mmh is, 192,7. semi `ini-175,677.

The invention relates vto electrical utensils adapted for use inLthe home, the object being to provide a utensil of this nature adapted for use as a cooking stove,-- but which may be instantly converted into an electric broiler or toaster, operating simultaneously on both sides of the object to be heated.

The invention consists in a plurality of hot plates so mounted that they may either lie in a horizontal plane to support a cooking vessel, or a air of themI maybe caused to face each ot er in separated or spaced relation so as to permit meat, bread, or the like to be inserted between them to heat it simultaneously on opposite sides.

In the annexed drawings showing one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the utensil,`

the hot plates beingshown in their horizontal position in tull lines and in their.A alternative position in broken lines and with an open-work holder -in position betweenthem shown in full lines.

Fig. 2 -is a lan view of the utensil with the hot plates in their horizont-al position:

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line iii-iii of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section taken on line IV-IV ofFig. 2.

`Fi 5 is a vertical cross-section taken lenfft iwise through the utensil on line V--V ig. 2. c

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the lcentral ortion of Fig. 5, showing the means 'for holding the hot plates in vertical position. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section through oneof the pivotal connections of the hot Vplate frame with the main frame, taken on line VII- VII of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 isa side elevation of-an open-work 'holder adapted to cooperate with ,the hot 'plates when set in vertical opposed relation,

shown on a reduced scale.

Referring to the drawings in detail in which the same reference number is used throu hout to designate the same part, a main rame is composed of a horizontal base plate 1 having an upstandng marginal rim which forms side members 2, 3 and end members 4, 5. The base plate is supported by legs 6 and is preferably partly cut away to save weight andprovide circulationef air, two Ycircular openings 7 being cut in theiframe for this purpose, as shown in the drawing. -vTwo hot plates'B, 9 are pivotally mounted in the frame on parallel horizontal axes so'tliat they may be mpved into a vertical position in opposed spaced relation as shown i'n Figs. 1 and 6. *The construction and relation to other parts of each of the hot plates is the same, so that a Adescription of one will suffice for both. Means for holding and supporting a hot plate consists of a hot-plate frame 10 of rectangular outline having a plane upper face and a central cireulardepression 11,4 adapted to receive and support a hot plate. Depending from the rear edge of the hot plate frame are apertured ears 12which are `pivo'tally engaged with pins 13 projecting laterally :from the upper ends of brackets 14, the bases 14 of which are slotted as in-' dicated at 14b and rest upon the face of the base late 1. Bolts 15 are passed through thes ots and through the base lates to secure the brackets in position. n order to provide a simple and effective mounting for these brackets the base plate has cast or otherwise formed thereon three upwardly projecting lugs 16, 17, 18, the lugs 16 and 17 engagin the outer edges of the base14a of the brac ets and the lug 18 forming an abutment-for the end of said base. The .upper edge of the hot plate frame is provided with an outwardly rojccting'lip or flange 19 which is adaptedp -jlecting from the inner faces of the end nicmers of the main frame. The vertical wall .of the de ression 11 in the hot plate frame is provi ed with a plurality of inwardly projecting shoulders or i butments 21 which form a support for the hot-plate. The bottom of the hot plate rests upon these abutments and. is firmly engaged therewith by bolts 22 which extend through the margin of the hot plate. and through the bottom of .the hot plate frame. The abutments upon whicli'.the hot plate rests support the hot plate above the bottom of the hot plate frame, thus providing a space for conveniently housing circuit wires 23 which are suitably connected to a plug 24 and to switches 25, the ends. of the wires being passed throughan eyelet 26 in .the wall of the depression in the hot plate frame and -connected to the respective ends of an electric heating wire`27 seated in a recess .in the .upper aceof the hot plate, according to to engage lugs 2O probeveled in two directions,

vwell-known practice. The bottom `of the hot plate frame-is provided with a plate 28 of heat insulating material.

The' pivotal axes of the hot plates are parallel and so related to each other that when the hot plates are raised into vertical position a space is formed betweenthe heatlng elements of the proper width to receive an open-work holder 29 for steak, chops, or the like and which supports the same between the hot plates for grilling. The hot plates may be held in vertical position by any suitable means. As shown, the means consists termediate its ends on the base plate, as indicated at 31, and provided with a. finger piece 32 at its outer end and with an upstanding lug 33 at its inner end, which is namely, downwardly and outwardly toward the side and downwardly toward the center of the base plate, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The beveled surface of this lug cooperates with a like beveled surface on the ear l2. A coil spring 34 is connected to the latch and -to the base plate to give the lug 33 an outward bias.

A cross-plate 35 extends from the upper edge of one side frame to the upper .edge of the other between the inner edges of the hot plate frames, to form therewith a plane or flush upper surface when the hot plates are in cooking osition. A depression or groove 36' may be ormed in the cross-plate to catch drippings when the device is used as a broiler, and this groove may be extended to the end of the cross-plate, if desired, to permit the drippings to be poured cti or run oil` while broiling is in progress.

As a convenient means for holding objects between the hot plates when used as a broiler, or toaster, the outer ends of the hot plate frames are provided with notches 37 to support an open-work holder, comprising two grid mem ers 38, 38a hinged together, as shown at 39, and provided with outwardly projectin handles 40, adapted to seat in the notches 3% in the hot plate frames, as shown in Fig. 1. These Yrids are preferably provided with inwardly projecting prongs 41 upon which th'e object may be impaled and suspended between the opposed hot plates.

When the hot plates are in their lowered position the lugs 33 on the latches 30, are drawn against the gears 12 on the hot plate frame by the spring 34 so that when these frames are raised into a vertical positionthe lugs are automatically movedby the s ring 34 into locking engagement and hol theA frames firmly in their raised position.

From the above descri tion it willbe seen thatI have rovided an electric utensil which may be use for cooking purposes, or may be quickly converted into an electric grill or toaster having opposed heating elements operating simultaneouslyon opposite sides vof of a latch 30, pivotally mounted in- -plates being adapted` to the object. Itis 'obvious that other means may be em loyed for mounting the hot plates where y -they maybe usedA or cooking or may be brought into opposed spaced relation, either in a vertical or other position, and that the structure shown may be widely varied within theprinci les herein disclose It is therefore to4 e und)A vention is not to be confined to the construction shown, but includes' all changes, suberstood that the institutions and modifications falling within the principles disclosed within the terms of the appended claims. vWhat I' claim is:I

1. A combined electric cooking stove and grill comprising, a supporting frame, and

a pair of hot plates pivotally mounted thereon, the pivotal points being spaced apart and disposed below the plane of the upper surfaces ofthe plates and adjacent to the opposed ends of .the latter, said hot lie horizontally for general cooking opposed spaced relation in vertical planes to hcat an object simultaneously on opposite sides with'direct radiantheat. 4

2. combined electric. stove and grill, comprising, a supporting frame, a. pair of hot plates pivotally mounted thereon,

posed below the plane of the upper surfaces of the lates and adjacentto'the op sed ends o the latter, said hot plates ing adapted to lie horizontally for general cook ing purposes or to be moved to opposed spaced relation in vertical planes to heat an ob'ect simultaneously on opposite sides with irect radiant heat, and means for holding said plates releasably 3. `A combined electric stove and grlll comprising, a supporting frame, two hot plates .pivotally mounted on parallel axes on the supporting'frame, said axes being disposed at the ad'aoent ends of the plates, `the latter' bein a apted to lie horizontally for general coo 'ng'purposes or to be moved to opposed spaced relation in vertical planes to heat an object simultaneously on opposite sides, and an open-work holder for the object to be grilled mountedbetweenthe opposed plates in their vertical position.

' 4,-An open-work holder com rising, two pivotally connected open-work ames, each purposes or to be moved `to -the pivotal points being spaced apart and disin vertical position.

of said frames being provided with a handle i extended outwardly at'right angles to the plane of the frame, said handles also being adapted to act as supports for the holder when placed'hetween opposed upright heats' ably mounted and adapted to be raised to vertically opposed ositions, respectively, at the two sides-of t e tray, and conducting wires to 'furnish electric current to the heatingelements in all positions. c

6. A combined electric cooking stove and broiler comprising, a body frame, two hori# zontally disposed heating elements mounted in its opposite ends, a tray disposed between and completing the top surface of the frame, the heating elements being movably mounted and adapted to be raised separately to a vertical position upon the two respective sides of the tray, and conducting wires to furnish electric current to the element-s in all positions. y

7. A combined electric cooking stove and broiler comprising, a body frame, two horizontally disposed heating elements supported thereon at its opposite ends, a tray disposed between and completing the top surface of the frame, the heating elements'being movably mounted and adapted to be raised to vertically opposed positions, respectively, at the two sides of the tray, conducting wires to furnish electric current to the heating elements in all positions, and means to hold the heating .elements releasably in vertical position. v

8. A combined electric cooking stove and broiler comprising, a body frame, two horizontally disposed heating elements mounted in its opposite ends, a tray disposed between and completing the top surface of the frame, the heating elements being movably mounted and adapted 'to be raised separately to a vertical position upon the two respective sides ofthe tray, conducting wires to furnish electric current to the elements in all positions, and means to hold the heating elements releasably in vertical position.

9. A combined electric cooking stove and broiler comprising, a body frame, two horizontally disposed heating elements supported thereon at its opposite ends, a tray disposed between and completing the top surface of the frame, the heating elements Vbeing movably mounted and adapted to be raised to vertically opposed positions, respectively, at the two sides ofthe tray, conductin wires to furnish electric current to the eating. elements `in `all positions, beveled members mounted on said body frame adjacent the opposed yedges ofl said` heating elements, and

lcooperating beveledy lugs pivotally mounted 55 adjacent said beveled members and ada ted to be moved into engagement therewit to hold said heating elements releasably in vertical opposed positions.

10. A combined electric cooking stove and 00 boiler comprising, a body frame, two horizontally disposed heating elements supported thereon at its opposite' ends, a tray xdisf osed between and completing the top sura'ce of the frame, the heating elements be- 65 ing movably mounted and adapted to be raised to vertically opposed positions, respectively, at the two sides of the tray, conducting wires to furnish electric current to the heating elements in all positions, beveled membersmounted on said body frame adjacent the 'opposed edges of said heating elements, and coo erating beveled lugs pivotally mounted a jacent said beveled members and adapted automatically to be moved y into engagement therewith to hold said heating elements releasably in vertical opposed positions. A

11. A' combined electric cooking stove and broiler comprising, a body frame, two horizontally disposed heatingelements mounted in its opposite ends, a tray disposed between and completing the top-surface of the frame, the heating elements being movably mounted and adapted to be raised separately to a vertical position upon the two respective sides of the tray, conducting wires to fur nish electric current to the elements in all positions, means to hold the heating elements releasably in vertical position, and an op'en- 9o work holder for the object to be broiled removably mounted above said tray.

Signed by me this 3rd dry of March, 1927.

EARL V. COULSTON. 

